WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Children’s Museum of Wilmington will host its annual “Science at Play” event as part of the North Carolina Science Festival.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 18, and focuses on hands-on STEM learning designed for young children.
Organizers say the event will feature interactive activities that allow kids to explore science through play, including experiments with slime, building a collaborative city and learning about the human body.
“When kids explore science through play, they develop skills that will benefit them for a lifetime,” said Anna Harris, program coordinator at the Children’s Museum of Wilmington. “We can’t wait to welcome guests for a day of discovery, excitement, and learning.”
Several guest groups are also expected to participate. Engineers from North American Young Generation in Nuclear will provide demonstrations focused on nuclear power and technology, while representatives from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Department of Computer Science will bring robots for children to interact with and learn basic programming concepts.
The event will also feature award-winning science communicator Maynard Okereke, known as the Hip Hop M.D., who will read and discuss his book, “Zombie Spiders & Asteroid Blasters: 16 Incredible Ways that Scientists are Changing the World.” The Wilmington stop is one of the only East Coast appearances on his tour.
Festival organizers say this year’s theme, “Science Matters,” highlights the role science plays in daily life across North Carolina, from health and the environment to the economy and local communities.
The North Carolina Science Festival is now in its 16th year and is expected to surpass 4 million total participants, with events planned in all 100 counties.
Tickets for Science at Play are $5 for museum members and $15 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased online.